Thought processes and conversations started under the tilted cap of Tropicana Field. Someday everyone will know the Rays play in St. Petersburg, Florida, not TAMPA, or the fictitious city of TAMPA BAY.

Results tagged ‘ Rick Nolasco ’

The Greatest thing a player can learn on a day like today is how much his club loves what he does on the field for them. But sometimes even that get a bit blurred and the images seems to fade a bit before the reality comes that you either have a new start somewhere else, or you contact your old team and see if they just wanted you at a cheaper price.

Every December 12th, the MLB goes through this sadistic tactic of non-tendering and tendering contracts to the arbitration eligible players on their rosters. Some people are shoe-ins to get picked up because of talent or maybe even a low cost towards the next year budget. Others are looked at under a microscope and the decisions might come down to dollar signs and not talent or ability.

That is the sad reality of this date. You could be an up and coming talent, or a veteran that just had an off year and you could be looking for a job in a heartbeat after midnight tonight. Also, just because they decided to offer you a contract doesn’t mean that the wheels stop turning and you might still be dealt to another team and they will make the decision on your fate again, and maybe at a financial disadvantages.

So on and on tonight I will be adding to this blog until I have a final idea of who, what where, when and why might pop up and bite some unsuspecting player on the buttock. Seriously here, there will be some surprises tonight. Some players might be getting held ransom for a financial sacrifice, while other might be rewarded for unforeseen changes in their game or ability. Which ever come about, it is not the end of the world or a career with any of the players tonight.

Everyone will find a place to play in 2009, it might not be the town you are currently playing in, but it also might turn into the best decision of your life. Just because you came up with a certain club does not mean that there are not other staffs or coaches’ salivating that your name is on the list tonight. People always have choices in life. The path we take is not predestined as many believe, but they are earmarked with signs and signals we either adhere to or avoid.

The players on this list still have had the honor to play at a level that few people ever achieve in life, on or off the ball field. And with that in mind, you have to remember the sacrifices and the sweat and tears that got you to this level will be rewarded again.

So as we embark on this night when some believe a dream has ended, you have to remember that through every closed door there is another opportunity maybe even down the hall. Here is the list of the guys who got the love and admiration of their clubs tonight. This list will be in no certain order, but will be update throughout the night.

Tampa Bay Rays:

Gabe Gross ( OF )

Dioner Navarro ( C )

Jason Barlett ( SS )

Willy Aybar ( INF )

Grant Balfour ( RP )

Kansas City Royals:

Esteban German ( INF ) 1-year contract

John Buck ( C )

Mike Jacobs ( INF )

Mark Teahen ( OF )

Brian Bannister ( SP )

Kyle Davies ( RP )

Jimmy Gobble ( SP )

Zack Greinke ( SP )

Joel Peralta ( RP )

Florida Marlins:

Jorge Cantu ( 3 B )

Dan Uggla ( 2 B )

Cody Ross ( OF )

Jeremy Hermida ( OF )

Rick Nolasco ( SP )

Josh Johnson ( RP )

Alfredo Amezaga ( RP )

Logan Kensing ( RP )

Dallas McPherson ( INF )

Philadelphia Phillies:

Shane Victorino ( OF )

Ryan Howard ( 1 B )

Ryan Madson ( RP )

Jayson Werth ( OF )

Eric Bruntlett ( INF ) 1-year contract

Clay Condrey ( RP ) 1-year contract

Joe Blanton ( SP )

Cole Hamels ( SP )

Greg Dobbs ( INF )

Chad Durbin ( RP )

Seattle Mariners:

Eric Bedard ( SP )

Aaron Heilman (SP, RP )

Felix Hernandez ( SP )

San Diego Padres:

Scott Hairston ( OF )

Luis Rodriguez ( INF )

Jody Gerut ( OF )

Heath Bell ( RP )

Atlanta Braves:

Kelly Johnson ( INF )

Matt Diaz ( OF )

Jeff Francoeur ( OF )

Mike Gonzalez ( RP )

Omar Infante ( INF )

Casey Kotchman ( 1 B )

Boston Red Sox:

Kevin Youkilis ( 1B )

Jonathan Papelbon ( RP )

Javier Lopez ( RP )

Minnesota Twins:

Jason Kubel ( D H )

Matt Guerrier ( RP )

Los Angeles Dodgers:

Russell Martin ( C )

Andre Ethier ( OF )

Johnathan Broxton ( RP )

Oakland Athletics:

Rob Bowen ( C ) $ 535,000 1-year contract

Justin Duchscherer ( SP )

Jack Cust ( OF )

Chicago White Sox:

Dewayne Wise ( OF ) 1-year, $ 550,000 contract

Wilson Betemit ( INF ) 1-year $ 1.3 Million contract

Detroit Tigers:

Ramon Santiago ( INF ) 1-year $ 825,000 contract

Marcus Thames ( OF )

Fernando Rodney ( RP )

Bobby Seay ( RP )

Joel Zumaya ( RP )

Justin Verlander ( SP )

Edwin Jackson ( SP,RP )

Cleveland Indians:

Kelly Shoppach ( C )

Chicago Cubs:

Chad Gaudin ( RP ) 1-year $ 2 million contract

Ronny Cedeno ( INF )

Reed Johnson ( OF )

Neal Cotts ( RP ) 1-year $ 1.1 million contract

Mike Wuertz ( RP )

Kevin Gregg ( RP )

San Francisco Giants:

Jack Taschner ( RP )

Toronto Blue Jays:

Jason Frasor ( RP )

Brian Tallet ( RP )

Brandon League ( RP )

Jose Batista ( INF )

Pittsburgh Pirates:

Nate McLouth ( OF )

Adam LaRoche ( 1 B )

Ryan Doumit ( C )

Zack Duke ( SP )

John Grabow ( RP )

Tyler Yates ( RP )

Paul Maholm ( SP )

St Louis Cardinals:

Rick Ankiel ( OF )

Chris Duncan ( OF )

Todd Wellemeyer ( RP )

Colorado Rockies:

Garrett Atkins ( 3 B )

Clint Barmes ( 2 B )

Jorge De La Rosa ( SP )

Taylor Buchholz ( RP )

Jason Grilli ( RP )

Huston Street ( RP )

Cincinnati Reds:

Edwin Encarnacion ( INF )

Milwaukee Brewers:

Seth McClung ( SP, RP )

Prince Fielder ( 1 B )

Rickie Weeks ( 2 B )

J J Hardy ( S S )

Corey Hart ( OF )

Dave Bush ( SP )

Washington Nationals:

Ryan Zimmerman ( 3B )

Josh Willingham ( OF )

Scott Olsen ( SP )

Shawn Hill ( RP )

Willy Harris ( SS ) 2-year $ 3 million

Houston Astros:

Brandon Backe ( SP )

Geoff Geary ( RP )

Wandy Rodriguez ( SP )

Tim Byrdak ( RP )

Jose Valverde ( RP )

Humberto Quintero ( C )

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:

Chone Figgins ( 3 B )

Robb Quinlan ( INF )

Maicer Ituris ( INF )

Ervin Santana ( SP )

Mike Napoli ( C )

As tonight comes to a close at midnight, the name will still be pouring in and this liost might not be totally complete by tomorrow afternoon. But I will do my best to be sure that you all have the latest listing of all players tendered contracts on December 12th.

I will also so a listing of the players who are deemed free agents now that their respective teams have put them on the open market. That listing might be a bit different as I want to block everyone into their respective positions, instead of teams for the non-tender list.

I will have that listing working by tomorrow afternoon and I have not decided yet if I might make prediction on what might happen to those players. As the night grows and the list gets longer, I will determine if that would be entertaining and informative to all of you.

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